2018:482 - Craddockstown North 1–5, Kildare

Excavation of archaeological features identified during pre-development test trenching (see 2018:194) was carried out in August, October and November 2018. Testing, which was informed by a geophysical survey (licence 18R0034), lead to the identification of five archaeological areas which were subsequently designated as Craddockstown North 1-5.

The archaeology is situated in a greenfield site which lies c. 1.2km south of the centre of Naas town, Kildare, in the townlands of Craddockstown North and Naas East. The site, for the most part, occupies a high and relatively level plateau with extensive views across the landscape in all directions. The western part of the site, formerly a hill slope, has been carried away. However, the remaining part of the site is under grazed pasture.
Prehistoric activity at Craddockstown North 1 (CN1) consisted of two possible prehistoric ring ditches. Early medieval activity at CN1 primarily consisted of a rectangular ditched enclosure with associated internal features including a possible industrial workshop area in the form of a series of stake-holes, metalled surfaces and waste pits. A north–south running ditch and three kilns are also thought to relate to this period. Miscellaneous features including slot trenches, pits and agricultural ditches located across the site probably date from the early medieval to the post-medieval periods.
CN2 consisted of two kilns, a curvilinear slot trench and an agricultural ditch. CN3 comprised two iron-smelting furnaces and two pits. A single metalworking pit with in-situ burning was recorded at CN4 and a possible kiln was excavated at CN5.
Post-excavation analyses are ongoing and a final report, including specialist information on dating and finds, is forthcoming.

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